Tim Zirkel has accomplished a great deal in his life and career, and he credits his success to the values his father, Donald, and mother, Marie, instilled in him.
Those values have led Zirkel, a lawyer, to prioritize giving back to the less fortunate. He is a longtime contributor to The Tablet’s Bright Christmas fund.
Tim’s father, Donald, who was editor of The Tablet from 1966 to 1985 and served as a deacon in the diocese, created the Bright Christmas campaign in the 1960s.
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Zirkel fondly remembers the life lessons his parents taught him growing up, noting that he and his eight siblings were “raised by committed Catholic parents.”
Donald died in 2023. He was predeceased by Marie, who died in 2011.
“My mom and dad lived a life of charity and simplicity, and through many different kinds of activities connected to the Church,” Zirkel said. “My father became a Deacon so he could contribute to the Church as best he could … In his homilies, my father spoke of the need to follow Jesus’ path to look out for the lost, the least, and the lonely. Those were the words he used.”
According to his son, Donald was careful with his money, “but when it came to his family and donating to those in need, he was as generous as could be.”
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Zirkel also recalled how every year his parents hosted what they called a “Souper Bowl” party, which, instead of having friends over to watch the Super Bowl, they invited them over for a charitable event to donate to those less fortunate and enjoy a simple, inexpensive bowl of soup — hence the name.
Without missing a beat, Zirkel picked up the Bright Christmas torch from his father. He has donated $250 to the campaign annually for many years.
“We have contributed and will continue to contribute,” Zirkel said. “There’s probably a family contribution coming up from me and my siblings in memory of our father.”
Tablet Editor Emeritus Ed Wilkinson continued the Bright Christmas campaign following Donald Zirkel’s retirement in 1985, overseeing it for the next 30 years.
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Wilkinson credited Zirkel for keeping his father’s tradition alive.
“It’s nice to see Tim honor his father’s name by continuing to support Bright Christmas,” Wilkinson told The Tablet. “When Don started Bright Christmas, it was just a grassroots effort. By the time it came to me, it had become more of a professional operation and had advanced from its humble beginnings.
“He really had a big heart, and kids meant a great deal to him because he had nine of his own, so he didn’t want to see any kids go without a gift at Christmastime.”
Zirkel, who has two children of his own, said it’s important for him to support the campaign and follow in his parents’ footsteps of caring for others and living out the Catholic faith.
“I’ve had the advantage of having a career that has provided well for my family and has given me the opportunity to be charitable,” Zirkel said. “And it’s certainly because of the example my parents set that has led me to say that I have more than I need and I should make sure that I am paying it forward to the lost, the least, and the lonely.”